Panel retaining arrangement

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to panels, such as are provided in cabinets or the like. Rabbets are provided in a frame for receiving a panel. Mortises are provided extending in the frame from the rabbets, and rotatable retaining element are mounted in the mortises. The rotatable retainers are comprised of a ramp encircling them for a proton of their circumference, having one flat circumferential side that is alignable with the side of the rabbet in the frame. Accordingly, upon rotation of the retainer, the ramp, or screw thread, engages the side of the panel away from the bottom of the rabbet, to hold the panel fully against the bottom of the rabbet, independently of the thickness of the panel.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 880,199,filed 6-30-86, now abandoned, which is a divisional of application Ser.No. 617,754, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,841.

This invention relates to panels such as are provided in cabinets or thelike, for example of wood or synthetic materials, and is particularlydirected to an arrangement facilitating the changing of such panels.

On occasion it is desirable to be able to remove and replace the panelsof cabinets or the like. Such removal or replacement may be desired, forexample, for esthetic reasons, for example, to enable the matching ofthe cabinets or the like with other pertinences. Such removal andreplacement may also be desirable in order to enable cleaning orrefinishing.

In the past many techniques have been employed for the purpose ofremovably holding panels in frames, such as the frames defining cabinetsdoors. In the past devices for removably retaining panels have generallyeither been complicated, expensive, or adapted only to hold panels of apredetermined of thickness in their edge regions.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to the provision of aneconomical panel holding arrangement which is easily operable, and whichis adaptable to hold panels varying thickness in their edge regions.

Briefly stated, in accordance with the invention, rabbets are providedin a frame for receiving a panel. Mortises are provided extending in theframe from the rabbets, and rotatable retaining elements are mounted inthe mortises. The rotatable retainers are comprised of a ramp encirclingthem for a portion of their circumference, having one flatcircumferential side that is alignable with the side of the rabbet inthe frame. Accordingly, upon rotation of the retainer, the ramp, orscrew thread, engages the side of the panel away from the bottom of therabbet, to hold the panel fully against the bottom of the rabbet,independently of the thickness of the panel.

In order that the invention will be more clearly understood it will nowbe disclosed in greater detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet of the type incorporating thepanel retaining arrangement of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross section of the cabinet of FIG. 1,taken along the lines II--II;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of FIG. 2, taken along thelines III--III;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a retainer assembly in accordance with theembodiment of the invention of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross section of a modified panel retainingarrangement in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a partially cross section side view of a portion of theretainer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a retainer assembly in accordance with afurther embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is end view of a portion of the retainer assembly of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the portion of the retainer assemblyillustrated in FIG. 8.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a cabinet or cupboard10 of the type which may employ the panel retainers of the invention.The cabinet 10 has a plurality of hinged doors 11 comprised of hingedframes 12 holding central panels 13. Each panel 13 is held in itsrespective frame by a plurality of retainers 14 while FIG. 1 illustratesfour retainers holding each panel, it is apparent that any desirednumber of such retainers may be employed.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the frame 12 is provided with a rabbet 15extending from the inside surface 16 of the frame, thereby providing ashoulder 17 spaced from the front surface 18 of the frame, against whichthe front surface of the panel 13 may rest. The panel 13 has a plow orgroove 19 in its edges. Such plows or grooves may be provided throughoutthe extent of the panel, or, preferably, only in the regions adjacentthe retainers 14.

The frame 12 is further provided with a mortise 20 extending from therabbet 15, in the region of each of the retainers 14. The mortise 20thus extends parallel to and between the inner and outer faces 16 and 18of the frame 12.

The retainer itself, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, is preferablycomprised of a hub 30, having a generally circular cross section and acentral hole 31 extending axially therethrough. A ramp or spiralprojection 32 encircles part of the hub 30, the ramp terminating at eachend in a plane 33 parallel to the axis 34 on the hub and spaced adistance from said axis substantially equal to the radius of the hub.The axially directed surfaces 35 of the ramp are defined by linesextending transversely of the axis 34, thereby forming a smooth spiralsurface, with the cross section of the ramp being substantiallyrectangular.

The ramp 32 defines a portion of a turn, with one surface 35intersecting the plane of one end of the hub at the plane 33, and theother surface 35 intersecting the plane of the other end of the hub atthe plane 33.

The retainer 14 is further provided with a pin 40 adapted to be receivedin the central hole 31 of the hub with a force fit. For this purpose,for example, the size of the pin 40 may be serrated. One end 41 of thepin 40 is chamfered and the other end 42 defines a slotted head.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a hole 50 is provided in the frame, at thecenter of the mortise, extending from the inner surface 16 through themortise, and extending a short distance beyond the mortise, i.e., mostcompletely to the outer surface 18. The axis or the hole 50 is spacedfrom the edge of the rabbet a distance substantially equal to thedistance between the axis 34 of the hub and the plane 33 of the edge ofthe hub.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hub is inserted in the mortise, inalignment with the hole 50, and the pin 42 is inserted in the hole 50and is forced into the hub, until the head 42 of the pin comessubstantially into engagement with the surface 16 of the frame. The ramp32 may thus be rotated, for example by means of a screwdriver engaged inthe slotted head 42.

When the ramp 32 is turned to a position that the plane 33 thereof is insubstantial alignment with the side of the rabbet 15, it is apparentthat a panel 13 may be easily inserted in the rabbet, to engage theshoulder 17, or removed therefrom. When a panel is thus inserted in therabbet, the retainer 14 may be rotated, by means of the slotted head 42,so that the ramp 32 enters the plow 19 of the panel. Upon continuedrotation of the ramp, in assembly of a panel in the door, one surface 35of the ramp engages the side of the plow 19 to force the panel againstthe shoulder 17, thus to firmly position the panel in the door.

Since the panel is held in position by the ramp engaging the side of theplow 19, it is apparent that the thickness dimensions of the panel, orthe spacing between the plow 19 and the surfaces of the panel, may bevaried without hindering the retaining function of the retainers 14. Theclamping of panels of different dimension is hence accommodated merelyby different angular displacements of the ramp. It is of course furtherapparent that, during assembly of a panel in the door, the plow 19 maybe initially aligned with the portion of the ramp toward the innersurface 16 of the frame, so that rotation of the ramp may carried thepanel to its final position.

The hub and ramp may be formed as a unitary member, for example ofplastic, and the pin 40 may also be formed of a plastic material.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, themortise 20' in the frame 12' extends to the inner surface 16'. An insert70, for example of molded or machined plastic, is inserted in themortise 20', the mortise 20' being configured to receive the insert 70.The insert 70 has a portion 71 generally flush with the surface 16' ofthe frame, the portion 71 having a generally D-shaped outline. Thecentral portion 72 of the insert extends from the edges of the outerportion 71, to define a generally D-shaped chamber 73 for receiving thehub and ramp assembly 74. The insert 70 is further provided with anoutwardly extending flange portion 76. The flange portion 76, asillustrated in FIG. 5, is also generally D-shaped.

A hole 80 is provided extending through the portion 71 of the insert 70for receiving a slotted projection 81 extending axially from the hub 82.The hub 82 is configured substantially the same as in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2-4, with the exception that it is not provided with a centralhole, the projection 81 being formed integrally with the hub. The ramp83 surrounding the hub is also formed as discussed above with referenceto FIGS. 2-4.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the hubassembly is initially assembled with its slotted projection 81 extendinginto the hole 80 of the inserted. The insert 70 is then inserted in thecorrespondingly shaped mortise 20' of the frame 12'. The insert 70 maybe held by dimensioning the mortise to provide a force fit, oralternatively, suitable adhesives may be employed for this purpose. Itis to be noted that the hub is held in the mortise, in this arrangement,by the close engagement between the slotted projection 81 and the hole80, whereby no further holding means is required.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, the hub 90is provided with a ramp or spiral projection 91 as in the arrangement ofFIGS. 2-4. In this embodiment of the invention, however, the pin 92 hasa central shank portion 93 with square cross section, the section 93having a length substantially equal to the axial length of the hub 90. Ashort end portion 94 on the pin has a circular cross section for beingreceived in the frame, this portion preferably being chamfered. Theother end portion 95 has an enlarged diameter and is slotted, forreceiving a screwdriver. In addition, a slot 96 extends partiallyaxially through the pin from the end with the circular portion 94, andprojections 97 extends from the pin on the two sides thereof notadjacent to the slot 96, at the junction of the portions 93 and 94.

As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 8, the hole 98 in the hub forreceiving the pin has a square cross section of dimensions to permit thereceipt therein of the square portion of the pin. As illustrated in FIG.9, the walls of the hole 98 are slightly tilted with respect to the axisof the hub, and one end 99 of the hole 98 is outwardly beveled. Withthis construction, the pin 92 may be readily inserted in the other endof the hole 98, the narrowing walls gradually slightly closing the gap96 as the pin is pushed through the hole 98, until the projection 97have passed into the region of the bevel portion 99 to snap out. As aconsequence, the pin may be readily assembled in the hub, during theassembly of the retaining arrangement in a panel. The snap connectionsimplifies the assembly procedure, while still enabling firm holding ofthe pin the hub.

While, as above discussed, the panel may be provided with a plow or thelike into which the spiral ramp extends, the provision of such a plowmay be omitted in the mounting of thin panels, wherein the ramp engagesthe rear of the panel.

While the invention has been disclosed and described with reference to alimited number of embodiments, it is apparent that variations andmodifications may be made therein, and it is therefore intended in thefollowing claims to cover each such variation and modification as fallswithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. In a door assemblyincluding a panel, a frame having first and second sides and an openingfor receiving the panel, and at least one retaining means for holdingsaid panel to said frame; the improvement wherein said frame comprisesmeans inhibiting displacement of said panel in one direction from saidopening, said retaining means comprising a mortise in said frame facingsaid opening, a hub rotatably mounted in said mortise for rotation aboutan axis transverse of said panel and a spiral ramp extending from saidhub, said ramp being coaxial and axially coextensive with said hub, saidhub having a length substantially equal to the thickness of saidmortise, said ramp having a first side which, when facing said opening,does not extend into said opening, said spiral ramp extending into saidopening when said first side faces away from said opening, to engagesaid panel, said hub having a central hole, said frame having a holeextending from said first side thereof through said mortise and intosaid frame on the side of said mortise toward said second side of saidframe, the hole of said hub being aligned with the hole in said frame,and further comprising a pin extending in the holes in said frame andhub for pivotally mounting said hub, said pin having a shank extendingbetween a head and a circular cross section end thereof, said hole ofsaid hub, and said shank having non-circular complementary crosssections, the end of said shank toward said end thereof beingresiliently compressible, a projection extending from said end of saidportion of said shank in a plane transverse the axis of said pin, thehole of said hub having a recess at the end thereof toward said secondside of said frame for receiving said projection, at least one side wallof said hole of said hub being longitudinally outwardly inclined fromsaid recess toward the other end of said hub to engage said projectionduring assembly to compress said pin, the head of said pin beingcircular and having a face forming to receive a tool for rotating saidpin.
 2. The door assembly of claim 1 wherein said face of said head ofsaid pin is slotted.
 3. In a door assembly including a panel, a framehaving first and second sides and an opening for receiving the panel,the frame being rabbeted surrounding the opening to provide a shoulderengaging said panel and inhibiting displacement of said panel in onedirection from said opening, said panel having a groove in a peripheraledge thereof and directed toward said frame, said frame having a mortiseadjacent said groove, and holding means rotatably mounted in saidmortise and having an extension extending into said groove only atdetermined angular displacement of said holding means for holding saidpanel to said frame; the improvement wherein said holding meanscomprises a hub having a radius, an axis and a hub central hole, thelength of said hub being substantially equal to the thickness of saidmortise, and said extension comprises a spiral ramp extending radiallyfrom said hub for substantially its entire length, the ends of said rampterminating in a plane parallel to the axis of said hub and spaced fromsaid axis a distance substantially equal to the radius of said hub,whereby said projection does not extend on the side of said planeopposite said axis, a frame hole extending from said first side of saidframe through said mortise and into said frame on the side of saidmortise toward said second side of said frame, and a pin having a shankextending between a head and a circular cross section end and extendingrotatably in said frame hole and through said hub hole, said hub holeand shank of said pin extending therethrough having non-circular crosssections whereby rotation of said pin causes rotation of said hub, saidpin having a slot extending therethrough from the circular cross sectionend extending into said shank, and a projection on said shank adjacentsaid end of said pin, a recess at the end of said hub hole toward saidsecond side of said frame, said hub hole having an inclined wallextending from said recess and engageable with said projection toincreasingly reduce the size of said slot as said pin is pushed in saidhole, whereby said pin is snap fit into said hole with said projectionin said recess.
 4. The door assembly of claim 3 wherein said recesscomprises a chamfer.
 5. The door assembly of claim 3 wherein said hubhole and shank have square cross sections.
 6. The door assembly of claim5 wherein said shank of said pin has a square cross section of constantdimensions.
 7. The door assembly of claim 6 wherein all of the walls ofsaid square cross section hub hole are tilted, whereby said hub hole hasa smaller cross section towards said one end of said hub hole.
 8. Thedoor assembly of claim 5 wherein said slot extends through first andsecond opposite sides of said shank and said projection comprises afirst projection extending from one of the remaining sides of saidshank, and further comprising a second projection extending from theother remaining side of said shank.